Possible Points Of Oil Leak - Pontiac Fiero 1988 Service Manual

7A1-4 ON-VEHICLE SERVICE
FINDING THE LEAK
1. Identify the fluid type, engine oil, transmission
fluid, anti-freeze, or power steering fluid, etc.
2. At what point is the fluid leaking from? After
running the vehicle at normal operating temper-
ature, park the vehicle over a large sheet of
paper. After a few minutes, you should be able
to find the approximate location of the leak by
the drippings on the paper.
3. Visually check around the suspected compo-
nent. Check around all gasket mating surfaces
for leaks. A mirror is useful in finding leaks in
hidden areas.
4. If the leak still cannot be found, it may be neces-
sary to clean the suspected area with a
degreaser, steam or spray solvent. Clean the
area well and dry. Operate the vehicle for sev-
eral miles at normal operating temperature and
varying speeds. After operating the vehicle,
visually check the suspected component. If you
still cannot locate the leak, try using the powder
or black light and dye method.
Powder Method
1. Clean the suspected area.
2. Apply an aerosol-type powder (such as foot
powder) to the suspected area.
3. Operate the vehicle under normal operating
conditions.
4. Visually inspect the suspected component. You
should be able to trace the leak path over the
white powder surface to the source.
Black Light and D y e M e t h o d
A dye and light kit is available for finding leaks.
Refer to the manufacturers directions when
using the kit.
1. Pour specified amount of dye into leaking
component.
2. Operate the vehicle under normal operating con-
ditions as directed in the kit.
3. Direct the light toward the suspected area. The
dyed fluid will appear as a brightly colored path
leading to the source.
• See kit directions for the color of the fluid
and dye mix.
R E P A I R I N G THE LEAK
Once the leak has been pinpointed and traced
back to its source, the cause of the leak must be deter-
mined in order for it to be repaired properly. If a
gasket is replaced, but the sealing flange is bent, the
new gasket will not repair the leak. The bent flange
must be repaired also. Before attempting to repair a
leak, check to be sure that the following are correct as
they may cause a leak.
G a s k e t s
1. Fluid level/pressure is too high.
2. Plugged vent.
3. Improperly torqued fasteners or dirty/damaged
threads.
4. Warped flanges or sealing surface.
5. Scratches, burrs or other damage to the sealing
surface.
6. Damaged or worn gasket.
7. Cracking or porosity of the component.
S e a l s
1. Fluid level/pressure is too high.
2. Plugged vent.
3. Damaged seal bore (scratched, burred, or
nicked).
4. Damaged or worn seal.
5. Improper installation.
6. Cracks in component.
7. Shaft surface scratched, nicked or damaged.
8. Loose or worn bearing causing excess seal
wear.
P o s s i b l e P o i n t s of Oil L e a k
1. Transaxle pan or valve body cover:
• Attaching bolts not correctly torqued.
• Improperly installed or damaged gasket.
• Oil pan or valve body cover mounting
face not flat.
2. Case Leak
• Filler pipe "multi-lip seal" damaged or
missing.
• Filler pipe bracket mislocated.
• T.V. cable seal missing, damaged, or
improperly installed.
• Governor cover and "O" rings damaged or
missing.
• Speedometer drive gear/speed sensor seal
damaged.
• Manual valve bore plug loose.
• Oil cooler lines fittings loose or damaged.
• Axle oil seals worn or damaged.
• Parking pawl shaft cup plug loose.
• Governor pressure pick up plug loose.
• Line pressure pick up pipe plug loose.
• Case to case cover gasket damaged,
e Porous casting.
3. Leak at converter end:
• Converter seal damaged.